Renee Mintz takes helm of Grandmothers for Peace group

More than two years ago, Renee Mintz walked hand in hand into a military recruiting office in St. Augustine with her good friend Peg McIntire.

Their theme that day was "Take us instead," referring to the young men and women in the military who were being sent to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While neither of the two women expected to be accepted into the military, mainly because of their ages, the duo made their point.

Mintz, 81 at the time, and McIntire, 95, were there as part of the Grandmothers for Peace movement which McIntire headed locally until her death in late May.

"Out of respect, admiration and love for a great lady and a great cause," Mintz said she is willing and ready to take over the leadership of the local peace protest group that has often been scorned by some, admired by others, but usually respected for their views and their causes.

Those causes, according to Mintz, include "any projects that would help people become aware of the need for peace."

Grandmothers for Peace is an organization started by Barbara Wiedner in May 1982 in Sacramento, Calif., after Wiedner risked jail through non-violent civil disobedience in a much widely publicized protest against nuclear weapons. The organization now includes over 40 chapters in this country with others in Berlin, Germany, Romania, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

Locally, the grandmothers group, which numbers up to 100 women, is widely known for its peaceful protests and its peace vigils often held on the Bridge of Lions or the downtown St. Augustine plaza.

As for involvement in the movement, Mintz explained, "There is no structure for meetings or officers. I have through the years helped Peg in her many protests and projects, from Cape Canaveral to Georgia, to Congressman Mica's office, and on Mother's Day, Fathers Day and at other peace rallies."

Mintz was also with McIntire at Fort Benning, Ga. when they joined other protestors in an effort to close the School of the Americas which trains Latin American military officers.

The 83-year-old Mintz has not limited her community efforts to just the Grandmothers for Peace group.

"Since I've been in St. Augustine, I have been involved with computer work for Meals on Wheels, League of Woman Voters, computer liaison for Limelight Theatre, and I have served as chairman of the St. Johns County Democratic Party," Mintz said.

As she takes over the leadership of Grandmothers for Peace, Mintz said she plans to stay true to her deceased friend's ideals which coincide with her own convictions.

"I have three children, six grandchildren and two surrogate great-grandchildren. I just want a better world for them and all the children of the world," she explained.

For information on the Grandmothers for Peace group, contact Mintz at pepper82@comcast.net